Study examining the significant role of intellectual property protection in driving radical technological innovation among national research project teams, employing PLS-SEM and ANN modeling

This study examines the role of intellectual property protection (IPP) in enhancing radical technological innovation (RTI) within national research project teams, using an innovation-driven theory and an ability-motivation-opportunity (AMO) perspective. This study utilizes a sample of 336 national research project team members from various Chinese universities, research institutes, and corporations to analyze the theoretical model. Additionally, a two-stage hybrid partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach, combined with artificial neural network techniques (ANN), is employed to evaluate the hypotheses. The empirical findings of this study reveal a positive association between the intensity of IPP and RTI within national research project teams. Research and development investment intensity (R&DII) is identified as the primary predictor, while integrated leadership (IL) and group potential (GP) play crucial moderating roles. These groundbreaking findings extend the scope of innovation-driven and AMO theories, providing a proactive model for national research project teams to propose improvements to the IPP system, ultimately enhancing the realization of RTI.


Response:
Thank you very much for pointing this out.We have thoroughly reviewed the abbreviations and notes in this article.
As suggested, we introduced abbreviations at their first occurrence and subsequently used these abbreviations throughout the text.All specific modifications have been annotated in the revised manuscript file with tracked changes.
However, this also compels firms to enhance their competitive edge and increase their innovation-driven Consequently, it can be concluded that CMB did not affect the study's outcomes (Lindell & Whitney, 2001).
abbreviations directly afterwards.
. •••" "••• Grimaldi et al. (2021) assert that no IPP strategy significantly impedes the success of RTI.•••" "••• Hagedoorn and Zobel (2015) observe that many firms in developed countries across Europe and North America regard formal contractual agreements as crucial legal mechanisms for safeguarding intellectual property rights in collaborations with Open Innovation partners.•••" "••• This leadership style represents a new paradigm emerging from the integration of leadership and innovation, characterized by integrative leaders who possess distinct qualities that allow them to identify and leverage environmental opportunities discovered that detailed contract specifications and stringent monitoring negatively affect both trust and team climate.Conversely, less detailed contracts can function as a trust mechanism, fostering trust by clarifying expectations, roles, and responsibilities(Mayer & Argyres, 2004).Woolthuis, Hillebrand, and Nooteboom (2005)  observed that IPR protection and IM mutually enhance each other in project teams.IPR protection mechanisms safeguard proprietary knowledge(Olander et al., 2010), thus reducing the risk and fear of exploitation.Such protection can bolster stability and predictability(Olander et al., 2010), and positively affect the team's IM(Argyres, Bercovitz, &   Mayer, 2007; Blomqvist, Hurmelinna, & Seppänen, 2005).•••" "••• RTIare enabled by employees who creatively use their knowledge and skills to integrate resources, benefiting the national research project team (Lusch & Nambisan, 2015).This integration significantly impacts the outcomes of technological innovations and the realization of radical advances (Ordanini & Parasuraman, 2011).Furthermore, Lusch and Nambisan (2015, p. 157) contend that effective communication among team members facilitates the sharing and integration of resources and knowledge, which in turn promotes RTI.•••" "••• Knowledge production within national research project teams hinges on the integration of insights from various fields and disciplines, with interorganizational teamwork serving as a vital conduit for achieving efficient and effective organizations (Newell, Robertson, Scarbrough, & Swan, 2009; Shalley & Gilson, 2004).Additionally, safeguarding the workflows of interorganizational teams is crucial for fostering knowledge sharing and innovation (Rosendahl, Olaisen, & Revang, 2014).•••" "••• Venture capitalists fund the development of promising inventions, thus advancing technological innovation and potentially impacting firms' patenting activities (Arqué-Castells, P., 2012).•••" "••• Sun et al. (2024) demonstrate that increased investment in R&D indirectly fosters regional green technology innovation, influenced by digital financial inclusion.•••" "••• R&D encounters negative externalities as national research program teams often work to prevent the imitation of their intellectual property.Enhanced governmental IPP mitigates these externalities by reducing the risk of IPP infringement and boosting the expected returns on R&D investments, thereby motivating countries and firms to augment their R&D efforts competitiveness(Aggarwal & Hsu, 2014).•••" "••• The creativity and creative potential of researchers are crucial prerequisites for innovation.This potential is influenced not only by individual creativity but also by environmental factors(Salas et al., 2004).Therefore, creating an environment that stimulates the innovative potential of research teams is a vital component of their innovation management.Research indicates that executives proficient in digital literacy and regions with robust IPP significantly enhance the positive effects of digital transformation on the quality of technological innovation(Huang & Lau, 2024).•••""••• Research indicates that GP significantly impacts team success in achieving work objectives(Gibson,   1999).Furthermore, GP exerts a more direct and potent influence on team empowerment and performance than individual efficacy(Kirkman and Rosen, 1999).National research teams, fueled by this GP, conduct research and innovation through effective integration of internal factors, thereby enhancing their collective research and innovation capabilities.•••"Response:Thanks for your nice reminder.In this study, the key predictors identified by both the PLS-SEM and the ANN models are consistent.We have included a comprehensive description and comparative analysis of the results in the Structural Model and ANN Analysis sections.Additionally, we have incorporated a comparative evaluation of the PLS-SEM and ANN models in the Discussion section.The revision is in Section 4 and Section 5 [660,[700][701][702][703][704][705][706][718][719][720]."••• Among the hypothesized relationships, the most significant factor directly affecting RTI is the R&DII, which exhibits a 0.534 percent increase for every 1 percent increase in R&DII •••""•••The results from the ANN model align with those derived from the PLS-SEM model.•••" "••• The results of the hybrid SEM-ANN analysis indicate that R&DII is a vital predictor of RTI in national research project teams (H4b), The results from the PLS-SEM analysis align with those from the ANN analysis, demonstrating that the R&DII is the most significant predictor of RTI in national research project (H4b).•••" "••• The findings confirm that the linear relationships identified by the PLS-SEM are corroborated by the nonlinear relationships discerned through the ANN model.•••" "••• In this study, the analysis of both the PLS-SEM and the ANN consistently indicates that the key predictors The Reviewer's Comment #2.3In the discussion, considering the different methods of PLS-SEM and ANN, are the key predictive factors obtained consistent or inconsistent?The discussion did not include the comparison results of the two methods. of RTI in national research project teams are ranked in descending order of importance as follows: R&DII, IL, IM, IPP, and GP.•••" Response: Thank you very much for your nice reminder.In the Common Method Bias section, we detailed the path coefficients, p-values, and R² values of the conceptual model without labeling variables, compared to those of the model with labeling variables.The variations between the two were found to be within 10%.To enhance reader comprehension, we included a comparison table that visually represents these differences.The revision is in Section 3 [Ln467-473,821-822]."••• The analysis by Lindell and Whitney (2001) revealed minor and non-significant correlations (ρ=0.01-0.04),indicating the absence of a common methodological bias in the study's data.This implies that the data in this study might have been free from common methodological biases.As indicated in Table 4, the path coefficients, p-values, and R² values of the conceptual model without marker variables show no significant differences compared to the model with marker variables, as variations are within 10% (Chin et al., 2013).

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••• H1: IPP mitigates spillover effects, significantly enhancing the innovation capabilities of national research project teams.H1: IPP significantly enhances RTI within national research project teams.•••" "••• H5a: The GP of the national research project team is able to moderate the mediating role played by IL in the impact of IPP on RTI.H5a: GP acts as a moderating factor, while IL serves as a mediating factor in the impact of IPP on RTI within national research program teams.•••" "••• H5b: The GP of the national research project team is able to moderate the mediating role played by R&DII in the impact of IPP on RTI.H5b: GP acts as a moderating factor, while R&DII serves as a mediating factor in the impact of IPP on RTI within national research program teams.•••"Response:Thanks for your nice reminder.In the Theoretical Frameworks and Hypotheses section, we expand upon the innovation-driven theory and the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity theory.The innovation-driven theory is discussed in detail, highlighting its macro perspective on the effects of implementing IPP systems on RTI within national research project teams.Additionally, we explore RTI's influences from an intra-team viewpoint, employing the micro perspective offered by AMO theory, which is elaborated to analyze team dynamics.The The Reviewer's Comment #3.1An interesting topic but few aspects need to be revisit.The specific research question and objectives need to be improved but make it simple.The Reviewer's Comment #3.2Need elaboration on how the underpinning theories help to explain the phenomena of the study/gap.revision is in Section 2[199][200][201][202][203][204][205][206][207]."••• In order to delve deeper into the influence mechanisms between IPP and RTI in national scientific research projects, this study utilizes the innovation-driven theory outlined in Michael Porter's book "National Competitive Advantage."The theory suggests that a country's economic development must progress through four stages: factor-driven, investment-driven, innovation-driven, and wealth-driven.By leveraging technology, knowledge, system, and management as the primary drivers of innovation, this approach optimizes resource allocation by utilizing new knowledge and technology, enhances labor quality, and improves the scientific research environment, thereby fostering continuous innovation.(Adisuet al. , 2023).Drawing upon Appelbaum's AMO theory(2000), the fundamental principle is that the team's overall wellbeing is optimized when its members' competence, motivation, and opportunities are addressed.To achieve this, strategies are implemented to equip team members with the necessary information and skills, encompassing recruitment, selection, development, and training programs.Incentives encompass both monetary and non-monetary rewards, based on performance evaluations, and serve to motivate individuals towards achieving their goals.Opportunities are generated by policies and regulations, which enhance employee participation in a variety of activities through improving interaction, promoting information sharing, and ensuring personal autonomy.This research, drawing on the innovation-driven theory and the AMO theory, argues that the IPP system implemented by the government plays a crucial role in promoting technological innovation.Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of the IPP's influence is required by incorporating relevant factors, such as IL, IM, GP, and R&DII, to assess the full extent of its impact on the Research and Technology Innovation (RTI) within national scientific research projects.To better elucidate the influence between IPP and RTI in national research programs, this study utilizes Michael Eugene Porter's innovation-driven theory and Appelbaum's Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) theory to examine how IPP can foster breakthroughs in technological innovations within research teams(Porter, 2011; Appelbaum,   2000).Porter's theory delineates four pivotal stages of national economic development: factor-driven, investment-driven, innovation-driven, and wealth-driven.It emphasizes that the innovation-driven stage enhances innovation levels by leveraging technology, knowledge, systems, and management as primary drivers, thus optimizing resource allocation, enhancing labor quality, and improving the research environment(Adisu et al., 2023).IPP enhances firm productivity by stimulating technological innovation within research teams, improving investment efficiency, and bolstering competitive advantage(Li, 2024).Barrios et al. (2024)  highlight that the interplay between open innovation and the use of non-disclosure agreements for protecting intellectual property rights can influence the innovation performance of manufacturing and service firms.Conversely, AMO theory suggests that satisfying team members' abilities provides them opportunities to optimally utilize their skills.By meeting the ability, motivation, and opportunity needs of team members, maximal team benefits are realized.These frameworks were chosen for their robust analytical structure, enabling a deep understanding of research innovation complexities, particularly through the lens of institutional factors and team dynamics.Innovation-driven theory underscores the essential role of knowledge and technology in economic growth, highlighting the critical importance of intellectual property regimes in sustaining innovation(Kalanje et al., 2006).Meanwhile, AMO theory offers a micro-level perspective that provides a practical framework for analyzing and influencing team dynamics, detailing how competencies, incentives, and opportunities interact at the team level to impact organizational performance(Bos-Nehles et al., 2023).•••" "••• This study aims to address a critical gap in existing research, which broadly acknowledges that IPP stimulates innovation but often lacks comprehensive analysis of its effects on the innovation processes within research teams.Utilizing the analytical framework of the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) theory, this paper investigates how IPP fosters innovation by enhancing researchers' motivation (e.g., through patent incentives and increased R&D funding), empowering them via training and technical support, and creating opportunities for high-quality innovation outcomes (e.g., by promoting cross-disciplinary collaborations and enhancing integrative leadership).For instance, IPP increases researchers' incentives to engage in high-risk projects by ensuring commercial returns on research results; it strengthens research teams' access to critical technological resources through institutional mechanisms(Williams et al., 2013); and it facilitates crossdisciplinary collaboration that enhances team communication and cooperation(Cho et al., 2015).This integration of theory not only deepens our understanding of IPP's role in research teams but also offers actionable insights for enhancing research management and policy-making, thus providing substantial theoretical and practical contributions to the literature.By examining the multifaceted impacts of IPP, this study enriches the existing literature and lays a scientific foundation for developing more effective policies to promote innovation.•••" "••• The current IPP regime is theoretically justified largely on moral grounds derived from utilitarianism, and theories of labor and personhood, which emphasize private ownership and the maximization of economic profits(Ballardini et al., 2021; Pihlajarinne & Ballardini, 2019).This foundation aligns consistently with systemic cooperation in RTI, particularly regarding innovation goals that encompass economic, cultural, social, and environmental sustainability dimensions.It also underscores the necessity of reciprocity and collective efforts to achieve co-specialization in shared technologies (Witoszek & Sorensen, 2018).For instance, RTI relies not only on sharing IPP innovations and technologies but also on diversifying and integrating knowledge among leaders and stakeholders to manage conflicts of interest and maintain productive cooperation that leverages the potential of IP (Andersen & Konzelmann, 2008).•••" The Reviewer's Comment #3.3 "••• Enhanced IPP allows national research program teams to financially benefit from RTI, thereby enabling further investment in research and development (R&D) activities .

Table 4
Measured marker variable test.]•••"Measured marker variable test.Solving CMB with marker variables allows for a comparison of path efficiency (&beta;) and p value.You could include a description in this section to see if the changes in the path coefficient and p-value are within Source: Authors' calculation.